My camera

I have had a few readers ask me what camera I use so I thought I would put a little info about it. I use a digital SLR camera called the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. I also use a Canon Speedlite 430ex flash with it. This is the kind of camera that you would buy extra lenses for and a bunch of other accessories, including the flash. Photography is a not a cheap hobby so I am collecting a little bit at a time. One day I hope to be a professional children's photography, but in the meantime I am just learning . . . lots.

However, I do want to point out that you don't have to have this type of camera to improve your photography. Newer digital cameras now have the ability to take photos almost immediately after pressing the button, whereas before it could be a 2-3 second wait. Also these newer cameras (and some older ones) usually have a manual mode which will be useful in improving your photo skills. If you are using auto mode all the time you are barely using your camera to the best of your ability and you won't be as happy with the results.

I can share with you some of the tricks that I have learned and I am sure you will see a lot of improvement in your own photos.

1. Rarely, if ever, should you center your subject in the middle of the frame. If you can, shoot or crop your photo, so that the focal point of the photo is 1/3 of the way from any one edge of the photo.

2. Change your perspective. Try to shoot the subject at eye level or just a little below.

3. Use your flash on sunny days to 'fill-in' the harsh shadows on the face

4. Get closer. You will notice a lot of my photos are closer. This is one tip that really changed my photography. I always took full body shots and they were boring. When you do get closer make sure that you don't 'cut-off' someone at joint, like an elbow or neck.

5. Read the manual to your camera at least 3 times! They 'usually' don't put all of those buttons on the camera to make it look fancy.

6. Focus on the eyes, it makes the subject more life-like in the photo.

7. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Force yourself to take a photo of the same thing over and over again using the different options on your camera. That really helps in the long run.

I can recommend the following cameras:
The Canon S3 IS which retails for about $296 (This is a point and shoot)
Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens which retails for about $570

or if you are really serious you can get the one I have which is the Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR which retails for over $700 (I was able to get one with a very good coupon around Christmas for much cheaper so you may want to wait until the holidays)

If you have any other questions, I would be happy to try and help, but I am a beginning photographer myself so I won't be able to answer a lot.